Lanre Omotoso_
As the world marks International Day of Forests, Nigerians have been urged to make use of the scientific breakthrough to domesticate most of the loss trees.
A Lecturer in the Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Dr. Deji Adejumo gave the advice while speaking with Radio Nigeria in Ado-Ekiti.
Dr. Adejumo identified crucial roles of forests to include food production, fuel, income, employment, soil fertility, protection of water resources as well as offering habitats for bio-diversity.
Speaking on this year theme “Forests and Food”, Dr. Adejumo identified food that could be derived from forest to include vegetables, spices, honey, nuts, fruits, tubers, seeds, mushroom, oils and drinks.
He identified those trees that provide foods to include African star apple known as agbalumo, bitter kola, baobao, African nutmeg known as ario, locust beans, shear and bush mango.
The lecturer however stressed that research institutes in the country had domesticated most of the lost trees because of their economic and medicinal value, hence the need for Nigerians to cultivate the seedlings.
The Forest Economist who emphasized that human beings destroyed the forest by cutting trees for building, firewood and furniture, advocated regular tree planting.
The United Nations General Assembly has since 2012, designated March 21 as International Day of Forests because it provides homes for pollinators, keep the soil healthy, retain water, offer food and shade for livestock, regulate temperatures, act as natural barriers against wind for crops as well as enhance rainfall for agricultural needs.
